City Diary – 14 August

Tchenguiz: Not put off by Laurel situation In 2004, Luminar nightclub company boss Stephen Thomas was part of a deputation of drinks industry executives who went to meet David Blunkett and Tessa Jowell. Thomas proposed the minimum-pricing idea and told the ministers it could be justified in the “public interest” of reducing antisocial behaviour. The politicians warned the industry that unless self-regulation worked, they would be forced to enforce controls on drink outlets by law. The company’s chief executive Stephen Thomas, bemoaning discounting among competitors, said in the Daily Telegraph at the time: “We’ve got some places selling alcohol for 60p or 80p a drink.” Four years on and City Diary notes Luminar’s Liquid & Diva in Sunderland is now selling all drinks for 80p on a Thursday night, joining a host of other Luminar... [read full story]